Operation: Art Legacy

I think Natsume-san art is very good, i mean, it was the first artworks i saw since the kickstarter project began and for all this years so i get used a lot to the original art by this time, i also think Mana art is very very good but i don´t think this has to be exactly the same as Castlevania, don´t get me wrong, Castlevania is my favorite Saga of all time and i love all the art on it, specially Ayami Kojima art, but i think is not good to try to push so hard the art of Mana in the game, Iga pick Natsume-san Art style for a reason and i think we should respect that, is a good fresh look for the game and like i say before, is not obligatory that it has to be so similar as Castlevania or Ayami Kojima art style, also, i feel bad to just throw away all the art that Natsume-san did and suddenly pick a new one just a few months before the game finally will came out, even if they pick Mana art they have to do the art work again and i don´t think Iga and the team have the time or maybe the money to do this all over again, this even can cause the game to get more delayed again, for this i have to say no to Mana´s art, and again, i really really like her art but i think Natsume-san art style is good for BloodStained. 

So maybe we should see an example of DICO's art (assuming one wasn't posted already that I've overlooked)? Because as much as I like the new art in the OP I don't like it as much as the image at i.imgur.com/pxU3qpw.png (I'm not embedding the pic because it's large). I really don't care what non-backers and the public at large think of it; that's not my problem. I spent as much money as I did because I liked the art that was shown and it's bumming me out that it's now being downgraded (IMO, obviously).

Edit: I just realized how similar my username is to ValtielEX's. Just realize I'm not the person you were responding to above.

If DICO has been doing the late art that we saw some months ago like the new characters i´m ok with that, since it looks like Natsume-san original artwork, i know that most prefer Mana´s art but i actually like more the old style, let´s see what Iga thinks about this, i still think that just becuse it looks like Ayami Kojima art is not obligatory or it means that if they use Mana´s art the game and the future games will be more successful, some games in the Castlevania saga like Order of Ecclesia, Circle of the Moon, even Rondo of Blood anime style and so on uses all different art styles and all were good and were unique, my vote is no for Mana´s art but if they use it officially i will be ok with that. 

I have made an account just for this, like many other people, but I am sorry to say it is because I am not a fan of this proposal.

First of all, I am in the same position as Valtiel in that I partly backed this for a lot of money because I liked the original art. Mana’s art is fine, but it is not what I was looking at when I decided to back this. I think Natsume's faces are strong, and there are key details like Miriam’s two tone hair that show up well in his work. I don't hate Mana's work, it's nice for what it is, but it's not what I would wanted to have seen when I backed this project.

I understand that Natsume is no longer on the project, but based on what we have been given since he left, I am good with the way things have proceeded since. And if you argue that we have not seen enough of DICO's artistic contributions, then I suggest we maybe.... wait and see what those are like? In the original post, you say you have reason to believe they will not be a strong as Mana's art. Are you seeing artwork that the rest of us haven't yet? If so, this is still just your opinion in stating that it isn't what's going to make this game do well, and it is very unfair of you to load up the front page with Mana's work, and show very little of even Natsume's work, let alone DICO's.

The biggest problem I have with all this is that it is, frankly, bullying. "We the fans have backed for a lot of money, so we are entitled to tell you which artists to use, and how the direction of this game's art should proceed". If IGA wants to know how the fans feel on this matter, he will ask us. This is not taking into account how other fans feel, those who have backed for a lot of money as well (such as myself and Valtiel), and those in other communities. And when you have so many people here gushing about Mana's art, it is rather intimidating to say anything. I know I may get responses along the lines of "oh he doesn’t have to use her", but the way this is all set up is already very pushy. The original post is stating that Mana's art is crucial to the success of Bloodstained and that "IGA is good with DICO continuing but I have reason to believe this is due to cost." We haven't even heard anything from Mana on all this, to boot. What is her opinion on all of this? Does she even want this position?

I know this push was probably made with the best of intentions, but as it stands, I’m not very comfortable with it. IGA should make the game he wants to make, with the artists representing it that he wants.

Hey there fluffyquack , you may have missed it, but IntiCreates was replaced as the main support developer a long time ago by DICO. It was all public news and was talked about basically anywhere and everywhere games are discussed.

Development for the game is going absolutely fine, no worries, although it is unusual for a developer to be replaced, it should be a sign that Iga doesn't mess around and he knows what he wants in order to make this game the revival we all hope for.

Hi there amduscias , thanks for your passion and feedback! Regardless of what art you like more, I hope I can clear up some things for you. 

All the official art you have seen up until this point were the old assets that were created during the start of the campaign, I'm not sure what you mean by how the art has proceeded since then, since we haven't had any new official assets created. This is the first official Bloodstained marketing asset that we've had made since way back then.

In regards to DICO, their art has all been internal concept art, made expressly for the purpose of development, nothing has been used as public facing marketing assets.

I appreciate your concern for the appearance of bullying etc., but I really would entreat you not to worry about that or see it that way. We at 505 and Iga/ArtPlay are ALWAYS hungry for feedback from the fans, regardless what the feedback is specifically about. Iga has always said that he welcomes requests and feedback of any kind, even though in the end he considers it, and will decide whether or not to incorporate feedback. 

As for Mana herself, well I can't speak for her, but we may veer into over complicating things if we start to ask what ifs like whether or not she wants to take a more leading role in making marketing assets for the game. This is a fan poll after all, and we're always listening. Just like Iga will consider these kinds of requests, Mana would consider whether or not she wants to do it if Iga asks her to. 

Finally, just to reiterate, rest assured that Iga is making the game he wants, from A to Z. I'm in charge of publishing, and I have requested a few things for the game, but Iga always has final say on what goes in the game or not.

Here fans are asking that Mana be involved in making *marketing* art assets in the future, which I actually will need one way or another haha.

Anyway hope that helps clear things up for you and/or anyone else, not trying to tell you what to think or anything. 

"In regards to DICO, their art has all been internal concept art, made expressly for the purpose of development, nothing has been used as public facing marketing assets."
If they didn't come from DICO, now I'm really curious who did the monster illustrations we saw. And if they'd be in the eventual artbook. If they're no longer unavailable, hope you got somebody with equally robust colors and silhouettes to fill that niche.

"Here fans are asking that Mana be involved in making *marketing* art assets in the future, which I actually will need one way or another haha."
I'm all for that. It plays to Mana's illustrating strengths and the poll showed she's got plenty of appeal on our side. Though if more of Natsume's works were never an option, I'm wondering what the actual alternatives were. Good measure of Mana's effect, either way.

She doesn't JUST APE KOJIMA. Her style is quite different than Kojima.



Mana ^




Kojima ^

There's similarities but it's quite different in technique. It's equivalent to a musician being influenced by another band. You can see that Mana has a love for the style but it isn't a replica of that style.  Also, there's NOTHING wrong with going in the style of Ayami Kojima as it was perfect for the gothic tone of the game. I like the original artist he gave us the designs we love but I'm not a fan of the more simple approach to detail. The more detail the better, I love the very detailed painted look of Mana's style more. With a game that is gothic in tone with demons and monsters it's a very fitting style that'll produce beautiful pieces.

That's cool but I was talking about the picture in the OP, not this unrelated piece. And the post in the OP quite clearly was drawn to evoke Kojima's artwork. Also you may think there's NOTHING wrong with going with that art style but clearly I and several other users do. Personally, I'd like this game to find its own identity at some point rather than mimic Castlevania for everything. I backed a spiritual successor, not a carbon copy, and now we're shifting gears so even the art looks the same. It's a bummer. Maybe not for you, but for me it definitely is, and I spent enough money to at least make my disappointment known here, even if it will be ignored or dismissed in the end.